Bob Barsotti on Bob Weir

How do I begin saying how I feel about Bob, I have to start with he was my friend. I was never really close with Bob, but we shared a working space for over 50 years and during that time I learned about who he was and how he operated. I supported what he and his bandmates did by setting the table for the Deadheads, making ready the space where they would all come together to groove to the beat and create that special feeling you only got at a Dead show. It was the synthesis of musicians and audience and place that set loose that thing that only the Grateful Dead could harness. I was honored to be able to help them on their journey to becoming the American Icons that they are today.

When it was time for my brother Peter and I to retire in 2000, our associates at BGP threw us a retirement party at the Warfield that was a fitting end to both our times at BGP. When he was asked Bob jumped right in to organize a band for the evening’s entertainment. Bob brought in Mickey Hart, Vince Welnick, Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, and Pete Sears to rock the evening with the soulful sounds of my brother’s and my lives working for the best rock music promoter in the world, Bill Graham. At the end of the night Peter and I went up on stage to thank Bobby and he turned to us and said “When are you going to write the book?” I replied, “But Bobby, if we write the book we’ll have to name names, which could be difficult as most of us are still here.” Without missing a beat he says “You can just say a certain band from San Francisco…”

Well now that many of us have passed along to the next realm I am once again honored to be able to say, “He was my friend, along with the millions of people who grew to know and love him over a 60 year journey, seeking the blessing of music for the masses. Farewell dear friend, may your journey be filled with love and light!

Bob Barsotti
President
Bill Graham Memorial Foundation